Crewed on-orbit, returnable, and reusable space vehicle

• US 6,557,803 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Cronick, Jeffrey J., Smith, Thomas R., Wechsler, James K., Green, Jennifer L., Lindley, Brian R., Carpenter, Jon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holzen, Stephen A
• Application Number:
  US09/944,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158.R, 244/160, 244/162, 244/172, 244/140, 244/146
• US Class Current: 244/159.3
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/14 Space shuttles reusable launch rockets B64G1/006
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/26 using jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/52 Protection, safety or emergency devices; Survival aids
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/62 Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/641 Interstage or payload connectors docking systems B64G1/646

Abstract

A returnable and reusable space vehicle including a main body separate from and releasably mounted to a booster rocket assembly. A crew compartment module is provided that is separate from and releasably mounted to the main body. A propellant system is operably coupled to the crew compartment module so as to propel the crew compartment module from the main body during an emergency procedure. An orientation control system is coupled to the propellant system such that the orientation control system maintains the crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during the emergency procedure. A pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extend from the main body to provide aerodynamic lift to the main body to permit the main body to return from the orbit and land.

Claims

1. A space vehicle comprising:

a booster rocket assembly;

a main body releasably mounted to said booster rocket assembly , said main body capable of maintaining and changing orbit;

a crew compartment module separate from and releasably mounted to said main body;

a separation propellant system operably coupled to said crew compartment module, said separation propellant system propelling said crew compartment module from said main body during an emergency procedure;

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from said main body, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wings providing aerodynamic lift to said main body to permit said main body to return from said orbit and land;

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from said crew compartment module, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wings providing aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment module to return from said orbit and land.

2. The space vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

an orientation control system coupled to said separation propellant system, said orientation control system maintaining said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during said emergency procedure.

3. The space vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

an energy absorbing assembly coupled to said crew compartment modules, said energy absorbing assembly reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module.

4. The space vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is a parachute assembly.

5. The space vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is an airbag disposed along a lower section of said crew compartment module.

6. The space vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said propellant system is capable of being jettisoned from said crew compartment module during said emergency procedure.

7. The space vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of maneuvering rockets disposed along said main body.

8. The space vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

landing gear operably coupled to said plurality of aerodynamic lifting wings; and

an airlock disposed in said crew compartment module.

9. The space vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said booster rocket assembly comprises:

a first booster rocket; and

a second booster rocket releasably coupled to said first booster rocket, said second booster rocket being released from said first booster rocket at a predetermined point.

10. A returnable and reusable space vehicle comprising,

a reusable booster rocket assembly;

a main body separate from and releasably mounted to said booster rocket assembly, said main body capable of achieving and maintaining orbit;

a crew compartment module separate from and releasably mounted to said main body;

a separation propellant system operably coupled to said crew compartment module, said separation propellant system propelling said crew compartment module from said main body during an emergency procedure;

an orientation control system couple to said separation propellant system such that said orientation control system maintain said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during said emergency procedure; and

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from said main body, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wing providing aerodynamic lift to said main body to permit said main body to return from said orbit and land;

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from said crew compartment module, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wings providing aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment modules to return from said orbit and land.

11. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising:

an energy absorbing assembly coupled to said crew compartment modules, said energy absorbing assembly reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module.

12. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is a parachute assembly.

13. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is an airbag disposed along a lower section of said crew compartment module.

14. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 10 wherein said separation propellant system is capable of being jettisoned from said crew compartment module during said emergency procedure.

15. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of maneuvering rockets disposed along said main body.

16. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising:

landing gear operably coupled to said plurality of aerodynamic lifting wings; and

an airlock disposed in said crew compartment module.

17. The returnable and reusable space vehicle according to claim 10 wherein said booster rocket assembly comprises:

a first booster rocket; and

a second booster rocket releasably coupled to said first booster rocket, said second booster rocket being released from said first booster rocket at a predetermined point.

18. A space vehicle comprising;

a reusable booster rocket assembly;

a main body separate from and releasably mounted to said booster rocket assembly, said main body capable of achieving and maintaining orbit;

a crew compartment module separate from and releasably mounted to said main body;

a separation propellant system operably coupled to said crew compartment module , said separation propellant system propelling said crew compartment module from said main body during an emergency procedure;

an orientation control system coupled to said separation propellant system such that said orientation control system maintains said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during said emergency procedure;

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from said main body, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wings providing aerodynamic lift to said main body to permit said main body to return from said orbit and land;

an energy absorbing assembly coupled to said crew compartment modules, said energy absorbing assembly reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from said crew compartment module, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wings providing aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment modules to return from said orbit and land.

19. The space vehicle according to claim 18 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is a parachute assembly.

20. The space vehicle according to claim 18 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is an airbag disposed along a lower section of said crew compartment module.

21. The space vehicle according to claim 18 wherein said propellant system is capable of being jettisoned from said crew compartment module during said emergency procedure.

22. The space vehicle according to claim 18, further comprising:

landing gear operably coupled to said plurality of aerodynamic lifting wings; and

an airlock disposed in said crew compartment module.

23. A space vehicle comprising

a booster assembly capable of maintaining and changing orbit;

a main body separable from said booster assembly

a crew compartment module separate from and releasably mounted to said main body

a separation propellant system operably coupled to said crew compartment module, said separation propellant system propelling said crew compartment module from said booster assembly while said space vehicle remains on a launch pad; and

a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending from the crew compartment module, said pair of aerodynamic lifting wing providing aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment module to return from said orbit and land.

24. The space vehicle according to claim 23, further comprising:

an orientation control system coupled to said propellant system, said orientation control system maintaining said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during said emergency procedure.

25. The space vehicle according to claim 23, further comprising:

an energy absorbing assembly coupled to said crew compartment modules, said energy absorbing assembly reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module.

26. The space vehicle according to claim 25 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is a parachute assembly.

27. The space vehicle according to claim 25 wherein said energy absorbing assembly is an airbag disposed along a lower section of said crew compartment module.

28. The space vehicle according to claim 23 wherein said propellant system is capable of being jettisoned from said crew compartment module during said emergency procedure.

29. The space vehicle according to claim 23, further comprising:

a plurality of maneuvering rockets disposed along said booster assembly.

30. The space vehicle according to claim 23, further comprising:

landing gear operably coupled to said plurality of aerodynamic lifting wings; and

an airlock disposed in said crew compartment module.

31. The space vehicle according to claim 23 wherein said booster rocket assembly comprises:

a first booster rocket; and

a second booster rocket releasably coupled to said first booster rocket, said second booster rocket being released from said first booster rocket at a predetermined point.